Machine for grading globular articles



Oct. 29, 1929. J. SCHMIDT 1,733,757

MACHINE FOR GRADING GLOBULAR ARTICLES Filed May 2, 1925 s Sheets-Sheet 129, 1929- J. SCHMIDT 1 ,733,757

MACHINE FOR GRADING GLOBULAR ARTICLES Filed May 2, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 2Oct. 29, 1929. J. SCHMIDT 1,733,757

MACHINE FOR GRADING GLOBULAR ARTICLES Filed my 2, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 5HI i "NH IIIIHHI lllll IIHIITIS Patented Oct. 29, 1929 UNITED STATEPATENT oFFies JOHN SCHMIDT, OF HOOPESTON, ILLINOIS, ASSIGI-TOR TOSPRAGUE-SELLS CORPORA- TION, OF l-IOOPESTON, ILLINOIS MACHINE FORGRADING GLOBULAB ARTICLES Application filed May 2, 1925.

his invention relates to an apparatus par ticularly adapted to thegrading and sizing of green peas for canning purposes, but 18 as welladapted to the handling and grading of globular articles of any type orcharacter.

Referring particularly to green peas as handled in canning factories, itwill help materially to differentiate the manifold advantages andimportance of my inventlon if I give a brief description of the presentappa ratus for handling and grading these and similar products.

Green peas are gathered from the fields by means of cutting the vineswith the pods and hauling them in bulk to the canning factory where theyare placed in a large machine that is technically known as a pea vinerThis machine manipulates the vines and pods in a manner to break thepods and release the peas which roll down and out of the machine wherethey accumulate in bulk and mixed sizes.

In passing this mass of peas through a canning line they are treated bywhat is termed a grader, by means of which they are supposed to beseparated into the grades known as Is, 2s, 3s, 46s, 5s and 6s.

The present most generally used machine for this purpose comprises avery large, long. revolving perforated cylinder.

The perforations at the end Where the peas enter this cylinder are thesmallest and are of size to permit the small No. 1 select and tenderestpeas to pass quickly through and thus protect them from possible mutlation and crushing from rolling around with the larger and morehardened product.

The perforations 1n this cylinder grow gradually larger toward the'ex tend, so that, in theory at least, the var ous s1zes of peas will findthe first openings through which they may freely pass and thus beautomatically graded into the commercial slzes noted.

In practice, however, the gradlng by thls method and this machine fallsfar short of theory and expectation.

It is about normal operation for a pea canning factory to run 100 No. 2cans per minute. This speed requires that the machines Serial No.27,545.

constituting a pea canning line produce a sufiicient number of peas ofthe various sizes to permit of continuous operation.

The grader, therefore, must continuously handle considerable bulk ofmixed sizes of peas and a certain speed of rotation must be given thelarge circular screen to produce he grades in such quantity as may beneeded.

It is found in practice that the mass of mixed peas passing into andthrough the grader have a decided tendency to climb up the side of therotating screen and then tumble back over each other.

The rotary screen being inclined toward the exit end the mass of mixed,rolling and tumbling peas gradually work downward toward the low end ofthe screen, but instead of moving down in a comparatively straight path,the mass of moving peas follows a more or less sinuous path which addsto the diflicultics of separation by this method.

Since a considerable quantity of peas pass through the grader in acontinuous stream, the small No. 1 peas that bring the highest price,are more or less entrapped in the mass and may fail to find the smallopenings through which they are supposed to pass and are thereby carriedalong as far as the center of the cylinder before they finally get out,and then they are with one of the larger grades and are lost to thecanner since they will bring only the price of second or third gradepeas.

This entrapping of the small tender peas in the mass also entailsanother loss to the canner in crushed and mutilated product,

ion

ties and undesirable teaturcs oi. the present method of grading peas lhave evolved the apparatus and method disclosed in this application.

The apparatus part oi the invention, coniprises a series of perforatedbelts arran 'ed in. superposed relation and moved in s1, n a manner thatmass of mixed peas ilepositcd on the uppermost belt of the series willbe spread out into a thin stratun'i and moved in a horizontal dirertionand in a manner to bring all of the peas in t stratum into surfacecontact with the per-torated belt; transferring those that are too largeto pass through the perforations, to the next low rmost belt of theseries itil'afil snecessively repeating this operation on the-otherbelts of the series until the entire quantity of peas being handled havebeen graded and segregated into the desired grades to s' The operationof my inventioi spreading into a thin stratum, the continuously movingmass of mixed grader agitating the peas to produce a (:onstr mixing ofthe mass while in the thin stratum a 1d thereby bring all of the peas inthe stratum into repeated contact with the grading screens, thuspermitting all of a size capable of passing through a screen, to so passand become separated and segregated into a predeterrriined grade.

it is therefor, a principal objectof my invention to provide means forspreading a mass of mixed peas into a thin stratum on a perforatedscreen and agitate the screen to constantly ren'x the peas and therebybring all into contact with. the screen surface whereby a grading as tosize will be el'lected.

It is a further object of my invention to provide an apparatus having aplurality of screen members arranged in operative relation whereby amass of mixed peas are successively subjected to a screening action toseparate and segregate them into graded sizes.

It is a further object of my invention to provide an apparatus of simpleand inexpensive construction, that will have large capacity; occupysmall floor space and require the minimum of power to operate.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a; series of screens inthe shape of end less belts, superposed one over the other and connectedby suitable chutes whereby the mass of peas are gradually carried alongby each endless screen and those that do pass through the perforationsof that screen are deposited onto the belt next below and the screeningaction repeated, with enough screens in the series to effectivelyseparate the various desired grades as they pass through the machine.

lVith such objects in View as well as other advantages inherent in theinvention, the

(F5 novel structural peculiarities, novel organizae tion oi? elements,and the separate and collective operations involved in carrying out therecited objects oi my invention, which will be made the subject matterof claims hereto appended, I wish it understood that the several.necessary elements and combinations constituting the same, may be variedin their proportions, placement, general relation and operativearrangement without departing from the scope and nature of theinvention.

In carrying out the objects of my invention in a concrete form orapparatus, further objects, improvements and advantages have beenevolved than have been recited, and in order to make the invention moreclearly understood there are shown in the accon'ipanying drawings meansand mechanism embodying the preferred structural arrangement and thepreferred disposition of the diil'erent parts and combinations, withoutlimiting the claims to the exact details of the construction shown, inwhich I have simply illustrated one way of embodying the creative partor concept of the invention in a concrete form of apparatus. Thedescribed devices are simply embodiments of the invention which otherstructures might also employ and some of the parts or combinations ofparts may be used without the others in different types of such machineswithout departure from the purview of my invention and I regard myselfasentitled to such variations from the shown and described devices as fallwithin the scope and meaning of the claims hereto appended.

Reference now being had to the accompanying drawings a betterunderstanding of the invention will be had with the thought in mind thatthe said drawings are more or less diagrammatic in character; are notnecessarilydrawn to scale, neither do they necessarily represent thebest or the preferred practices in connection with the construction ofmachines of this character, also that the proportions and relations ofsome of the parts may be more or less exaggerated in size and shape tobetter illustrate the application of the invention to an operativemachine.

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the machine showing very clearly thedisposition of the endless screens and their manner of mounting; themeans for driving the various operative elements; the disposition of thechutes for receiving and conveying the peas from one operative stationto the next and the chutes for receiving and discharging the graded peasas they fall through the several grading screens, also the means foragitating the grading screens.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the machine showing the various parts andoperative elements in the same relative positions as in Fig. 1, butshowing more clearly the receiving and discharge chutes for the gradedpeas.

or in Fig. 3 is a plan of Fig. 1 with the various parts and elements inthe same relative positions as in the previous figures.

Fig. 4: is a sectional detail of one of the screen agitating elementstaken on approxi mately the line 4.4l of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation in detail of the agitating cam.

The general construction of the aoparatus comprises vertical framemembers 1, tied together into a rectangular frame by the cross memb rs 2and still'ened into a ri. 1d structure by the angularly placed tie barsThe machine illustrated is made up of tour screening sections and isadapted to separate and grade a mass of peas into five distinct grades.This showing is entirely arbitrary, as it is easily understood that asmany tions or grading stations may be provided for as is desired, itsimply meaning the ad dition of as many sections as are desired for theproduct being treated.

Elie first grading station is at the extreme top of the machine andcomprises oppositely disposed shafts 4 mounted to rotate in suitablebearings and carrying the drums 5 over which is trained an endlessscreen belt 6, having perforations of a size to permit the passage ofthe first size of peas it is desired to separate from the mass. Undersome conditions of operation this first screen is provided with thesmaller holes so that small and tender peas ar first separator f m themass. As these small peas drop through the screen they fall into thereceiving chute 7 and roll down and away from the machine. Arranged atthe left of he machin is a receiving; hopper 8 where all of the mixedpeas are depositet and a e distributed in a thin stratum onto the mescreen belt. As tle thin s .turn or p is moved along with the belt 6thcv are given a ve y rapid and slight agitation. which causes n movearoun b and. be continuously reinixec a and new contact with theporter;- screen surface. The forward me the screen belt the thin stratumof peas approximately 15 feet per minute while the belt 7 ticalvibration of approximately 20 per minute. The vertical impulses veryslight and are so rapid. that the thin stratum of peas remixed manytimes during; their travel one belt and each pea in the mass is givenmany opportunities to get through a perforation it it small enough opass this screen. The agitating mechanism is best shown in Figs. 4 and5.

An agitating bar 9 eXte ids laterally across the machine just under thetop port 1 endless screen and is mounted sition on the springs 10. Thecross 11 extend under and parallel with carry on each or l the agitating cams which have operative contact with the bar emcnt oi 9 throughthe pad 13. Studs 14 carry angular members 15 and 16 which are mountedwith a separation at 17 to give free entry to the edge ot the screenbelts. It is readily seen that ii the cans 12 are given about 250revolutions per minute there will be transmitted to the screens about2000 impulse per minute, which will be short and rapid and will causehin stratum of peas on the screen to have very rapid dancing motion.Side guard members 1'? tend to keep the peas from moving laterally oilthe screens.

The endless screen belt, preferably mad of thin metal, moving; forwardslowly will earn the peas along and over the end into the guide chute 18where all that could not p ass through the perlorations will fall ontothe next screen belt below and be subjected to the same treatment asjust described.

m "c will be some peas on the first belt, and

. holes and become wedged therein removed therefrom betore the .elt appraches the hopper for the new supply of unscreened peas. The constructionof this machine renders it practically self cleanin The drums 5 bearclosely against the belts as they pa. s therearound and any peas adherinn in the perforations are pushed out and pass down the guide chute tothe next screen below.

The screen belts are driven by means of the drive means shown at thelower left corner of Fig. 1. by means of the pin on and gear 19 and 20and the crossed belts 21 running from section to section as shown.

The screen agitating mechanism is driven through the power means at 21and the chains 22 as shown.

directions they pass throuogh the A, and as each size is screened. awayLhey ai c. nveycd awav from the machine to operation in the canningline.

Operation ired grades of pens are del vered by any b-le mean. to thehopper 8 by means of which th y are slowlr delivered to the top gradingscreen in a thin strean". or stratum. top or first conveyor screen isendless motes continuously in a forward direcion to convey the thinstratum of peas flowing from the hopper in the direction 0? the arrow atthe right of the top section in Fig. 1.

The perforations in this top endless convey 1' screen are usually thesmallest in the set of screens to separate the small and tender peasfirst to prevent bruising or mutilation from continued agitation andhandling on he following screens.

lhe small peas passing through the reticulations of this first screencollected by ill. 1

the chute 7 positioned thereunder and are conveyed away from themachine.

The peas that do not pass through the screen are rarried ver the screenand pass into the curved guideway 18 at the discharge end of the screenand are thereby deposited onto the top run of the screen belt or bandlocated under the top screen and are by this hand treated likewise tothose of the top screen. i he peas that get through the reticulations ofthis screen are led away from the machine by the chute underneath andthose passing over the end of the screen are guided onto the screenbelow which operation is releated a srdiicient number of times to eiiectthe desired fineness of grading.

To facilitate the grading on each screen and to give the 1 cos a chanceto get through the pertora ions in the screens, the agitating can s 12rotating at a nigh peed impart to the top run of each screen band a veryrapid vibration which causes the tr o stream of peas L to dance,continuously duringtheir trip across the belt With the result that everypea has r cl ance to get through the perjt'or- 'on it it is small enoughto pass through. This rapid rihration prevents completely the hunchingot the stream of peas and most eti'ectively agritates the stream so thatthe grading is very etifective and ctiicient, repeatedly presenting eachpea to the perforation so that on each run of the conveyors the peasthat should pass are separated with the least inutilation.

i i hat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An apparatus for grading green peas con'iprising a conveying systemarranged in superposed relation, means for distributing a stream ofmixed sizes of peas over said. system, means forming a part of saidsystem 1"\ segregating; peas of like sizes, yieldin igly mounted ineansfor supporting portions of said conveying; system and means for agitahing said supported portions to more perfectly S%C{ZIC{lfti10 thedifferent sizes of peas.

An apparatus for grading green peas comprising means for distriiiiutinga mass of lair-zed sizes ct peas, grading means compris i an endlessconve for receiving); said mixed on as, means for c intinuous conveyormovement to said ejrad in Qj moans, 1 in means supporting the po 11011of said conveyor on which the said inass ot peas is depor-iited,independently driven means for iroparting a "cry rapid verticalagitation to said wielding; me 2 to thereby agitate said conyoyor andenact a more thorough separation ot the said mass: of peas.

An apparatus -for grading green peas into mam sizes comprising a seriesof superposed conveying means moving in a1- ternate directions andsuccessively r ceiving and moving a mass of mixed sizes of peas, saidconveying; means being provided with a rted openings through which e lsizes will pass, yielding PJOTQ per-3t E99: I'QLS train the mp;

4. An apparatus for grading peas coznprisir nice i for cont e ing astream of ot n1 through a to *tuous path, .;in,e; n 1.\ porting portionsof said convey means, means for agitating said yieldi :1 means andthereby aid conreying means a d separate means for moving said conreyinein H:

An a ppara tit nears com 31lS- ins incans Jar dis b ass of mixed sizesof peas into a a perforated endless hand for ti 3 said thin Etr ltuni,means for nioyi said. endless hand co niuousiy to convey sai peasthrough r. vertically inovaeie means band and means to impartmovementtosaid means to peas being conveyed. for grading pea comprisstrihutinp; amass of mixed a thin stratinn, a perforated *ing said thin stratum, Hmeans for moving said convey said peas, reciprocatwort' a portion ofsaid hand ried, means for impar ocation to said means to 2 ium of peasto effect a more :r iratus for grading peas comprisr distributing; amass oi mixed sizes oi? pet into a thin stratum, a perforated endlesshano for receiving said stratum of per continuously moving means forsupports to h n and recip "itory .1 3 ion of'isaid h, l'rvith ciprocatmynus-ans for means wi ans si comm iltu a ad as tun ons and other thatcannot deiireri g' a thin Yes of: icceszaavely portions or great a andseem tine, tiereiroin the smai 'a i s it) a t *arr. onio s t ion is taplao nigr means h av; o d

means or 1 'i'n n 1'i1 qw i I ri"' i A pains a. 1a,) a o tCllLittQ i118sepv .1 ,1 I w station of too and out with independent a: for receivingeach sep t conveying it away from the ap Jaratus.

in tes imony whereof i afix my signature.

JOHN SCHMIDT.

L elated size and lit)

